Do you agree with the view expressed in source three that the diplomatic situation was the main reason for Henry’s failure to obtain an annulment of his marriage to Catherine by 1529? We can clearly see that there is more than one reason why Henry wanted to gain an annulment to Catherine in 1529, and that it wasn’t purely down to reasons all diplomatically related. Although saying this, it’s also clear that the diplomatic situation at the time was a huge contributing factor for the failure. It most definitely did slow down the progress Henry made in achieving his annulment. At the time of the annulment, it was known that the Pope was hugely influenced by Charles V, who at the time was the Holy Roman Emperor. Due to Charles’ role …show more content…
Saying this, Source J also says that “Anne Boleyn is...come hither, and the King has lodged her in a very fine lodging, which he prepared for her himself” which effectively translates to it saying that Henry is showing great interest in Anne Boleyn. Source J proceeds to say that, “I see they mean to accustom the people by degrees to endure her, so that when the blow comes it may not be thought strange.” It appears to ne that the French Ambassador is saying that Henry has already begun the plans to have Anne as his queen, which goes against everything he said a moth earlier to the Aldermen of London, where he said that if he was to marry again, it would be to Catherine. In Source I it is clear that Catherine is refusing to accept Henry’s claim that their marriage was invalid, which gives us another reason to understand why Charles V was in such strong opposition to the annulment. Campeggio writes, “she assured me that she would never do so (make a profession of chastity); that she intended to live and die in the estate of matrimony, into which God had called her, and that she would always be of that opinion, and would not change it.” It appears to be the case that Campeggio was adamant that Catherine was convinced that her and Henry’s marriage was legitimate in the eyes of good. Due to